heh, how true. I have a minor AC separation, with no or minimal rotator cuff damage. The doc gave me a sheet of info on cuff rehab.

The PT said DON'T do several of the exercises because they load the AC joint. According to her, the AC joint needs to be neutral, and not loaded excessively for several weeks for the ligaments to heal and tighten up. Using it the wrong way (arm over 90 degrees with any load, pushups, dips, forward slouched posture, certain cuff stretches) will not let the ligaments tighten up and will result in ongoing issues.

I had a minor AC separation several years ago. Absolutely DO NOT use the shoulder for anything more than the most trivial lifting/pushing/pulling for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. Trust me, drunken buildering even weeks afterwords will not go well.

Rest, rest, rest. It takes time, but leaving the joint alone to heal is all that you can do.

I didn't really stick to the prescribed PT and it seems to have ultimately healed well, despite my foolish arrete-huggin on the First National Bank kiosk downtown. Stay off the shoulder as long as you can and then you will hear only good or neutral pops, and not any of the BAD pops.

in 2003-2004 I got second degree separations in both shoulders, one year apart. yes, I learn the hard way. Aside from some discomfort sleeping on my right shoulder sometimes, and the litle bumps on my shoulders, things are fine. No surgery needed for most second degree spearations.

As far as recovery goes, Wayne's post above is great. Rest is vital! If you can see a good PT to get some timelines and excercises it will certainly help. Good luck and get healthy!

I had type III separation few years back. I wore a sling for a week or a few perhaps, then was very careful not to move it for another month into any position that caused any pain. As soon as I could lift it above my head I started climbing stuff that didn't require much arm. Now it's 100%, still a bump there from the clavicle poking up, but I can hang off it and pull on it with no pain whatsoever.

It's not as bad as you may think - several of my buddies have also had a Type III with the same results.

lol LOVE the girl scout cookies comment! That is really about all you can do while you are waiting on it to get better. Also! Wear a shoulder brace! You will be very thankful you did. It was the biggest life saver that I could have asked for and it prevented me from aggravating my shoulder. Here is the link where I got mine and I hope it helps you out! Shoulder brace